the little things.

I have mentioned that I have kind of been in a studying funk lately. Well I just can't seem to get out of it. I have a big test on Friday and I really want to get a good grade so that I'm not digging my way out of a hole the rest of the semester. 

Anyway, one thing I have found that helps me study is getting fun, new pens. These are some of my favorite pens and I haven't been able to find them until just a few days ago. 

Fun colors and they write like sharpie's so they are just perfect! 

Well I'm getting ready to put these babies to work. :) 

beautiful weather and pretty nails.

Saturday afternoon I decided I wanted to go for a walk or something outside, so I called up cousin Elisa to see if she was doing anything. She wasn't so she joined me. I took the dogs, minus Cooper, and they were sooooo excited! 

We didn't really go anywhere exciting. Just down the road we have walked many times but it was so nice to just chat and enjoy the nice weather. I'm really enjoying having Elisa home. :) We met my Grandpa and his wife on our walk and they wanted to show us the walking trail they have been working on behind there new house. It is quite nice! Just kind of winds around in the trees and along the field and creek. 

It was so nice to just be outside and spend time with family. 

Saturday night, my parents and I went out to eat with my Uncle Mark (dad's brother) and his wife and crew, and a friend from church and his crew. There were 15 of us in all. There is a vegetarian asian restaurant in Tulsa that we all love. It's kind of a hole in the wall place so we might have overwhelmed them a little, but we had a great time. 

I went home and studied Saturday night for a few hours after eating. boo...

Sunday was full of studying, but I did take a break to join the church ladies for some women's ministry. We have started our women's ministry group again and our first event was a lot of fun. Of course, I forgot my camera but I snapped a few pictures with my phone. 

We went to the low income housing division in our little town and gave manicures to the ladies from the division. We also gave them a bag of personal hygiene type items and a little book about dealing with stress and things like that.

This was when we first started. A few minutes after this picture a lot of people showed up and we were very busy. :)

We had about 40 people come through and I think every one of them loved it. They kept saying how pretty they felt and we had a great time talking to all of them. 

I studied anatomy while I wasn't busy. I know, I'm a nerd. ha I really did enjoy myself though. We will definitely be doing this again and we are working on some other projects as well. 

I had a great weekend and hope you all did too!

This week is going to REALLY busy and full of studying physiology (I have a test Friday) but I'm going to try to still make time to blog. :)

ball of fluff.

Cooper went to the groomer today. They always want to give him a poodle haircut but I think it would look really funny. He always looks so cute when I first pick him up. He even got a bandana today. :) 

He is super soft and fluffy! 

 In love...

He reminds me of a little old man. ha

I spent the day studying. blah This evening was fun though. Luke, Elisa and the girls came over. Luke and I practiced the choir music that our little choir is singing for Easter. It was entertaining to say the least. Playing the piano and singing is kind of my way of relaxing and unwinding. It is my time to put the troubles of the week behind me and just praise God!

Happy Sabbath Ya'll! :)

Guts!

I had a few comments about my last anatomy post and how yucky the pictures were so I'm warning you right now... Don't scroll down if you don't want to see some pony intestines! :)

Such a good helper.

This week in anatomy lab we dissected the abdomen of the pony and had a quiz. Horses have a unique large intestine because they are hindgut fermenters. This means they have a large cecum and a very large ascending colon because this is were they ferment the grass they eat and get all the nutrients from it. Cows do this in the rumen which is before the stomach, which means they are foregut fermenters. 

Everything still in place.

 We removed the digestive tract one piece at a time. 

Removing the jejunum.

The whole GI tract. That big stuff on the left is the cecum and ascending colon. It's really big and confusing because it has all kinds of different sections we have to learn.

Julie holding the cecum.

 After we removed all of the stuff in the abdomen our professor removed the whole front end and just left us with the pelvis and hindlimbs. 

Funny story... after they removed the front end, we were left to move the hind end on to a table. Julie and I each grabbed a leg but when we lifted it up on the table his rear end was right in our face. (They had cut the tail off so everything was exposed.) The look on Julie's face (and mine too, I'm sure) was HILARIOUS!! We looked at each other and at the same time said "Let's roll him over." Well that was even worse cause then his stuff was in our face. We were laughing so hard we were crying. It was good to uplift the spirits after the quiz we had. Sorry if that story is weird. hahaha Vet students find humor in weird things. We have to, to make it through.

A little weird... I know.

I'm done with class for the week but tomorrow is full of studying!

better late than never.

I completely forgot to post about what I got for Christmas! I got some really great gifts this year and I wanted to share them with you because I think they are pretty neat. 

This summer I was cleaning out my closet and dresser and was overwhelmed by the number of t-shirts I had. All of them have some significance and I couldn't just through them away so my mom suggested that we get a quilt made out of them. One of the ladies my mom works with sews really well and had made a few of these t-shirt quilts before so she agreed to make it for me. It was a little challenging to narrow it down so that I would not have a ginormous quilt, and it still turned out to be a queen size quilt. She had it finished just in time for Christmas and I absolutely love it! :) 

The whole quilt.

She tried to put the shirts in order as the events happened. Most of them were highschool and first few years of college. 

I was going to take pictures of my favorite shirts but I couldn't narrow it down to just a few so here is the top half.

And the bottom half. 

It is a perfect keepsake! :)

I also got a carhartt vest, which I absolutely love. It's really practical and something I already use a lot. It will be really handy when I graduate and am practicing. It is not fun to pregnancy check a cow in winter when you have to take off your coat so you can get your arm up there. With this vest I can still have some warmth and my arms are free. It is surprisingly warm and great for layering too. They are pretty popular in the cowboy world right now. 

My mom even got the vet symbol embroidered on it. :)

So while I was going through my Christmas pictures looking for these I found a few randoms from Christmas break I wanted to share with you. 

I took my boots off after church and Emma decided she needed to wear them. 

I wrapped ALOT of presents and this is were Cooper laid the whole time. 

My sister decided she wanted to be cool like me and wear a plaid flannel shirt. (She borrowed on of my shirts ha)

Okay, now things are getting really random. I got Cooper the cutest little bones. They are so tiny and a great way to occupy him while I'm studying. :)

Happy Wednesday! Just one more day of class fro me! :)

reminiscing.

I had a whole other post all written up but I just couldn't wait to share this with you guys. I was talking to one of my best friends, Elle, today and our conversation led me to get out my external hard drive and look for some old photos and videos. We graduated together in 2007 and we got to go to Kauai for our class trip. We worked for habitat for humanity and spent a lot of time on the beach. It was an unforgettable trip and the looking through the pictures was so much fun. (and a great way to procrastinate)

I was actually searching for this video in particular. I love it! It makes me laugh, it makes me cry, it makes me happy. :) I am the one in the middle along with 2 of my classmates, Jordan (now Elle's hubby) and Christy. I have absolutely no idea how I convinced Jordan to sing with us at the time but I'm so glad I was able too. :) We sang this song a few times but this time was really spur of the moment. Our videographer was Kody (we weren't dating at the time but became very good friends in Hawaii), he forgot he was supposed to be videoing until a few seconds into the song. 

Christy, me, and Kody. Oh, to be that tan right now. 

I can't believe this was five years ago. Sheesh, I was skinny! Our five year highschool reunion is in March, and while this may not be a big deal to other highschools, it is to ours! Our class will be planning the church ceremony and (if I can convince Jordan) we will be singing this song for special music. :) I can't wait to see everyone!!! :)

one year ago.

A year ago today I was headed to Africa with Kody, Ernie, Sharon, and a lot of other friends. I have been a bit sad just thinking about it today. That trip is one of the highlights of my life and I would love to be headed back there right now. (Even with the horrible flight) 

So excited to be getting a place to worship in. These ladies sang to us the whole time we worked on there church. 

The small group I worked with ever day.

If you would like to see more pictures go HERE!!

There is a not a lot of narration for the pictures. (If I didn't have to study I would go through and work on it) I wish I would have taken the time to say more but if anybody wants to know more about the trip I can fill you in. :) 

The group I went with left for Honduras yesterday and it looked to be another amazing trip. I didn't get to go because of vet school but I sure wish I could have. 

It's been a long day... I just keep thinking of my trip to Africa. Instead I have to study physiology because I have a quiz in the morning. Who cares about how the gut works anyway?! 

An unproductive weekend.

Remember how I said I was going to be all productive and get caught up on studying this weekend? Well, I did make a small dent but nothing like what I was hoping for. I had a lot of fun though.

Saturday afternoon I decided to take Gus and Jake for a ride because they have been a little neglected since Cooper came around. Gus' favorite thing to do is ride in the car with the windows down so he can stick his head out and bark at every tree we pass. 

He would not move to the backseat. I wanted to get a picture of his ears flopping but he was just having to much fun right were he was. 

He took a short break to warm up his nose.  

Jake decided he didn't want to go. He would not get in the car so we came back and played fetch with him. 

Seriously mom?! Stop taking my picture!

Gus is the most abnormal Basset Hound I have ever been around. He is anything but lethargic. He does enjoy his naps but if there is something else to do then he is there. 

Jake is about the sweetest dog you will ever meet. 

I know... I'm pretty funny! 

He doesn't know how to hold still. Hence, the blur. 

I love my boys! They are all wonderfully weird in there own way. We enjoyed the nice weather and played until it was time to head to vespers.

The high school I graduated from came and brought there band to perform for us. They did a really good job. I was pretty impressed!

Mr. Bizama is the music director at Ozark and is a very, very, very talented musician. I was very involved in music when I was there and so we got to be very good friends. I also went to Korea on a mission trip with him and some other people from my church. (whole other story) Anyway, he is definitely one of my role models and I really miss being involved in his music program. It was one of the highlights of high school for me and I learned so much from him. I know, I was a music nerd. :)

It was really good to see him.

Little Miss Evalynn was very intrigued by the music.

and she really enjoyed the pizza after the program. :) She is the cutest thing and entertains me every week at church. 

After everyone had eaten the Ozark kids loaded up the bus and headed back to Arkansas. 

Cousin Elisa came over to meet Cooper and he was a holy terror, to say the least. I don't know what got in to him. He was not his normal self. He sorta calmed down eventually and we watched Elisa's favorite movie. I had never heard of it, except for what she told me this summer, but I really enjoyed it. It is a good, clean movie and perfect for the hopeless romantic like me. It is called Sweet land. If you ever just want a sweet, good movie you should check it out. 

Today was full of studying. Blah. 

My mom and I did the video for today together. (I have been doing P90X) I'm doing really good with keeping up with my exercising. Alumni is inspiring me... ha

This afternoon we had a dust storm of sorts. It freaked me out a little. It was so dusty outside from all the wind. (gusts up to 60 mph) We really need rain! 

That isn't fog, it's dust. 

I should get back to studying so I can get to bed. I left my computer charger at home so I don't know if I will be able to post 'til this weekend. Hopefully I can borrow someone's. I really need my computer for school stuff as well. 

blessed.

I was really blessed at church today. I have been having a problem with some of the people in our church and things they do and don't do. I have been really judgmental even though I try not to. I was reminded today that it is very easy to look at other people's sins and judge them as long as it isn't a sin we are also committing. It's much easier to be okay with things when we are doing the same things. I hope that wasn't to confusing. 

Our guest speaker pointed out today that we shouldn't look at other people's sins but look at our own, and we shouldn't dwell on our own sins either. We need to look to Him! 

"Look to Me, and be Saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

Isaiah 45:22

He also reminded us of the race that we are running and the only way to overcome Satan is to look to Jesus. 

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I needed to be reminded of this. To set aside all the baggage of sin and look beyond this world. That is the only way to overcome. When we are able to do this, that is when other people can see through Christ through us. We aren't weighed down by the world because we are looking to Christ. 

I don't know about you but I needed to be reminded of these things. 

Happy Sabbath!

finally.

I feel like I have been in school for about forever and it's only been 2 weeks. This week was extra long! I'm so thankful for Sabbath. I will be doing a whole lot of nothing tomorrow (besides church and maybe taking some pictures) and then will probably have to start studying after supper. (I got a bit behind in the studying department and am starting to stress a little.)

I forgot to mention that Kody came over last weekend. We had a great time just doing nothing. We did go over to Ernie and Sharon's for a little Africa reunion. We ended up going to supper with them and having a great time. It was nice just having him around for the weekend. :)

Kody fell in love with Cooper too. 

Studying will wear you out!!

Well we had a rough week as you can tell from the above picture so we are headed to bed. Cooper is already down for the count. 

I hope everyone had a good week. Any fun plans for the weekend?!

A semester of -oligies.

That may not be grammatical correct but I think you get the point. This semester has been so much better than the last one... so far. Although it seems like we are in class for forever and ever. The information is so much more interesting than last semester and much more applicable. 

1. General Pathology: the study and diagnosis of disease. This class is actually really interesting so far. Right now we are learning about different types of necrosis. (kinda gross) The teacher is a HUGE fan of rock and roll and is very entertaining. I can actually pay attention in class, and it is at 8 am! 

2. Physiology III: Right now we are studying the gut and how it works. Words can not express how much I loathe this class. Seriously, the man walks in the door and I my brain shuts down and I get in a bad mood. I'm sure part of my problem is the subject matter is pretty detail oriented and I am not super into the minute details of things but I just really am not a fan of the teacher. He makes crude comments all the time and I have a really hard time following him because he is just so scattered. (I'm not the only one who has a problem with the man) He did do something in class today that I couldn't keep from laughing but most of the time it's just annoying. I could go on and on about this class and the teacher but I wouldn't want to bore you to tears. 

3. Parasitology: Study of parasites. Now things are getting interesting... and totally DISGUSTING. I have never been a fan of worms but now that I get to look at pictures of them coming out creatures noses and other really grody pictures, I really despise them. It is something that is very practical though so it at least has that going for it. 

4. Immunology: Study of the immune system. This class is pretty interesting as well. We are learning the details of how vaccines work, why babies need colostrum, and much more. The teacher has a very strong French accent and has an abundance of veterinary related ties. (Even one with antibodies all over it) 

5. Comparative Anatomy: I had anatomy last semester, and every one knows how much I disliked that class. It was so unorganized. This class is total opposite. We know exactly what we are supposed to learn, we are dissecting a horse so it is much bigger and more fun, and we don't have to look for a bunch of tiny nerves that are almost nonexistent. 

Our pony was a bit overweight. Cleaning all that fat off really inspires me to stay fit and thin. Fat is really nasty.

Cleaning fat off our pony so that we can remove his ribs. 

Ready to cut open a heart.

That sucker is huge. I can't imagine how big it is in a full sized horse. That is why horses are so athletic. There lungs are very large as well.

Thorax is dissected.

Cleaning out the heart so we can see the valves.

This semester is going really well but It has been hard to get out of break mode and I am falling behind so I better get to studying. 

P.S. I decided not to show pics for the other classes because they are pretty yucky and would really scare  people away. :)